V 
BLI 
merit suddenly sinks, so as almost to give the 
appearance of a smaller anterior dorsal fin, 
separate from the longer one: the pectoral 
fins are of moderate size ; the ventral ones 
didactyle, and rather long : the vent is 
situated in the middle of the abdomen, from 
which part the anal fin commences, and 
reaches as far as the tail. This species is 
found native in the Indian seas, grows to the 
length of about twelve inches, and is vivipa- 
rous. There is, however, another species, 
denominated B. viviparus, which, like that 
just noticed, is distinguished by a particu- 
larity that takes place in but very few 
fishes, except those of the cartilaginous 
tribe; being viviparous, the ova hatching 
internally, and the young acquiring then- 
perfect form before the time of birth. Not 
less than two, or even three hundred of 
these have been sometimes observed in a 
single fish. It might be imagined that so 
great a number, confined in so small a space, 
might injure each other by the briskness of 
their motions ; but this is prevented by the 
curious disposition of fibres and cellules 
among which they are distributed, as well 
as by the fluid with which they are surround- 
ed. When advanced far in its pregnancy, 
it is scarcely possible to touch the abdomen 
without causing the immediate exclusion of 
some of tire young, which are instantly ca- 
pable of swimming with great alertness. 
The B. viviparus is littoral fish, and is found 
about the coasts of the Mediterranean, and 
the Baltic and Northern Seas, and some- 
times it enters the mouths of rivers. It 
feeds on the smaller fishes, &c. It is taken 
by the line and net ; but is not estimated as 
food, as its bones acquire a greenish colour 
by boiling. See Plate II. Pisces : fig. 2. 
BLIGHT, in agriculture, a general name 
for various distempers incident to corn and 
fruit trees. It alfects them variously, the 
whole plant sometimes perishing by it, and 
sometimes only the leaves and blossoms, 
which will be scorched and shrivelled np, 
the rest remaining green and flourishing. 
Some have supposed that blights are pro- 
duced by easterly winds, which bring vast 
quantities of insects’ eggs along with them 
from distant places. These being lodged 
upon the surface of the leaves and flowers 
of fruit trees, cause them to shrivel up and 
perish. Mr. Knight, however, observes that 
blights are produced by a variety of causes, 
by insects, by an excess of heat or cold, of 
drought or moisture ; for these necessarily 
derange and destroy the delicate organiza- 
tion of the blossoms. 
BLI 
The tevm blight is very frequently used 
by the gardener and farmer without any 
definite idea being annexed to it. If the 
leaves of their trees be eaten by the cater- 
pillar, or contracted by the aphis; if the 
blossoms fall from the ravages of insects, or 
without any apparent cause, the trees are 
equally blighted ; and if an east wind hap- 
pen to have blown, the insects, or at least 
their eggs, whatever be their size, are sup- 
posed to have been brought by it. The 
true cause of blight seems to be, continued 
dry easterly winds for several days together, 
without the intervention of showers or any 
morning dew, by which the perspiration in 
the tender blossom is stopped ; and if it 
so happen that there is a long continuance 
of the same weather, it equally affects the 
tender leaves, whereby their colour is chang- 
ed and they wither and decay. 
The best remedy, perhaps, is gently to 
wash and sprinkle over the tree, &c. from 
time to time, with common water ; and if 
the ybung shoots seem to be much infect- 
ed let them be washed with a woollen cloth, 
so as to clear them, if possible, from this 
glutinous matter, that their respiration and 
perspiration may not be obstructed. This 
operation ought to be performed early in 
the day, that the moisture may be exhaled 
before the cold of the night comes on ; nor 
should it be done when the sun shines very- 
hot. 
Another cause of blights in the spring, is 
said to be sharp hoary frosts, which are 
often succeeded by hot sun-shine in the day- 
time. This is the most sudden and certain 
destroyer of fruit that is known. The chief 
remedy to be depended upon in this case is, 
that of protecting the fruit trees during the 
night-time with nets. This mode, where 
regularly and correctly performed, has been 
found highly beneficial. 
What is termed the blight is frequently, 
however, no more than a debility or dis- 
temper in trees. Mr. Forsyth observes, 
that “ this is the case when trees against the 
same wall and enjoying the same advan- 
tages in every respect, differ greatly in their 
health and vigour, the weak ones appearing 
to be continually blighted, while the others 
remain in a flourishing condition. Ibis 
very great difference, in such circumstances, 
can be attributed only to the different con- 
stitutions of the trees proceeding from want 
of proper nourishment, or from some bad 
qualities in the soil ; some distemper in the 
stock, buds, or scions ; or from some mis- 
management in the pruning, &c. all of which 
